Free Pattern Phursday

So, Mr Knits tossed this thing to me and said I should post the pattern on the blog. Good idea! In an effort to be different from all the other "Free Pattern Fridays", I am introducing "Free Pattern Phursdays"   I know the title is a poor attempt at alliteration, but catchy, don't you think.

This pattern, a leash mitten, was designed and knit out of necessity. We walk our two pups on a single retractable leash, with a "splitter" at the end. The long end of the splitter goes to Emma, and Norma Jean gets the short end, that way there is no "lead dog". You can see it in the photo below.

In the winter, locking and unlocking the leash was a hassle - I don't know how many times I dropped my mitten into the snow when I took it off to lock or unlock the leash, but now, this pink beauty allows me to do so without my hand ever meeting the elements. And since the leash itself is kept somewhat warm, it works better in the cold.

Retractable Dog Leash Mitten

A soft and cosy mitten to cover the leash and your hand allowing you full control the leash mechanism

Finished size: depends on leash model – ours is a larger retractable leash, so the mitten is about 14” long and 6 inches wide

Materials and equipment:

Yarn: 1 skein Schoeller + Stahl Wonderwool light pink (CC) and

1 skein medium pink (MC) - any soft, chunky wool will do - about 160 yards total

                         6.5mm circular needles at least 40 inches long

                         Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Stitch Pattern: Multiple of 3 stitches and 4 rows

                                Round 1: With CC *Knit 2, slip 1 repeat from * across round

                                Round 2: With CC knit all stitches

                                Round 3: With MC *Slip 1, Knit 2 repeat from * across round

                                Round 4: With MC, knit all stitches

Note: carry yarn not in use up the inside of the mitten

Pattern Instructions:

Cast on 32 stitches with MC, join carefully in the round avoiding twisting, and continue in K2P2 rib for 4”.

Next round:* K2, inc 1, Purl 2, Inc 1 repeat from * across round thereby increasing 16 stitches – 48 stitches on needles.

Change to CC, and begin stitch pattern at round 1. Continue in pattern stitch until piece is long enough to cover the leash body up to the point where the retractable leash exits the case and your hand comfortably with the ribbing fitting nicely on your wrist. At beginning of the next round, cast off 4 stitches and continue in stitch pattern across the round. When you get back to where you cast off the 4 stitches, cast 4 stitches on, and continue again in stitch pattern until the leash fits nicely inside the mitten completely.

Now we are going to make the flap: working on half the stitches and using MC, rib in K2P2 rib for 2 “, then cast these 24 stitches off. Rejoin the yarn and cast on 24 stitches and continue in pattern for 1 inch.

On needle 1, *k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

Repeat from * on needle 2.

Next round, continuing in pattern stitch, switching colours as necessary, knit all stitches. Repeat these last two rounds 2 more times – 36 stitches left on needles.

You now have 3 options – graft the top closed, perform a three needle bind off or bind off the stitches and seam the top. Weave in all ends, insert the leash and get walking!

(If you are into being all matchy matchy, you can make a regular mitten for your other hand – just use any chunky mitten pattern, and insert the stitch pattern for the hand part. I just grab the nearest mitten, no matter what the colour!)

                                This pattern is Copyright © Log Cabin Yarns 2009, all rights reserved.

You may make a copy of this pattern for your personal use only providing this copyright notice remains intact.

Distribution by any means is not allowed without express written permission of the copyright owner.

Should you decide to ignore this copyright notice, perhaps you may not get caught, but you will most certainly anger the knitting gods and it is likely you will never achieve proper tension or ever find good yarn on sale again.

 Just so you know.

For more copyright information, visit

http://yarnaholic.wordpress.com/the-copyright-faq-for-knitters/

 There it is - number 1 in a series of free patterns. I have attached a copyright notice, but feel free to forward a link to this post to anyone who may enjoy knitting this. And remember to check out the blog every Phursday, oops I mean Thursday for a new pattern. Send me photos of your finished items and I will post them here.